Orange County, Ca to OR? (Portland, Newport: environment, equity, transplants)

[snb3]

Any OC transplants to Or? I grew up in OC and now live in metro LA. It is my opinion that OC is not what it used to be in the late 70s & 80s. Much more crowded and even more expensive. Only place I'd consider would be south OC but would need @ least $700k for a decent house.
I would appreciate any feedback from transplants from here who ended up there. Specifically, does anyone have any thoughts of returning?

thanks

[Mariwithani]

Originally Posted by snb3

Specifically, does anyone have any thoughts of returning?

I was raised in So. Calif. from 1958-88. Specificially, the Glendale/Burbank area. Then, as an adult, lived in Eagle Rock, Huntington Beach, No. Hollywood and the Sunland/Tujunga area. Most of my family (and many childhood friends) still live in Calif. They are spread out from Palm Desert and the San Bernando, Orange & LA Counties all the way up to Marysville in No. Calif. I spend several weeks every couple of years visiting everyone. Exhausting, but a lot of fun.

I have lived in the metro-Portland area of Oregon since 1988. And, the answer to your question is -- No, I do not have one thought of returning to any portion of Calif. After, 18 years, I am not use to the high heat anymore. And, after all the lush green of Oregon, even the No. Calif. pines look half dead to me. The one thing I do miss about Calif. is the sunlight, tanned bodies, & the ability to be outside year-round.

Like most states, each region in Oregon has something differnt to offer; we have desert, coastal, mountain, & valley living. There are forest, lake, small town, farmland & city living. What part of Oregon are you thinking of?

[freedom]

Born and raised in Orange-less county. 60's-80's part of the 90's in Coachella valley- too hot.
Did not want to raise a family in So Ca., moved to So. Oregon so my wife could stay at home, Home school the kids, live on open land. Been here 14 yrs. would not go back for all the sand in Newport beach, and we have made a real good living here. Absolutely love it.
Viva Oregon.

[bobmulk]

Lived in Southern California for 8 years, 6 of those in Huntington Beach back in the 80's. Came back to Oregon in 1990, never thought I would. But, by the time I approached thirty, my perspective had changed and I couldn't justify living in such a cruddy environment with filthy air, polluted water, crime, congestion, no open space. I don't even miss the weather. To me, constant sunshine is BORING. I missed the change of colors and nip in the air in autumn, the starkness of the trees and the rainstorms (when I'd curl up in front of the fireplace with a book) in winter, the new birth of spring and the GORGEOUS days of summer. It might take you awhile to get over the weather change, but it helps if you look at it in the proper context--you can spend time with friends, wine tasting, reading books, parking yourself in one of the many coffee shops or brewpubs, doing any one of a number of things.

[Mortimer Doubts]

Here I am! Moved from Newport Beach, CA the heart of the wannabe rich & thin. I would never ever return to O.C., why you ask?

1. Overcrowding
a.Too much traffic
b. Overpriced homes
c. Non respect of one's space
d. Stinky air
e. Condoms & needles on the beach

2. Ridiculous People
a. Too Thin
b. Bloodsuckers cling for the ride
c. No standards
d. No remorse
e. Social climbing phonies
f. BMW's, Mercedes & Hummer's
g. Excessive use of cell phones

3. Aliens in Transition
a. Won't speak english
b. No insurance, auto or otherwise
c. Invites family to stay indefinately
d. Smells funny
e. Sends American dollars home to who knows where
f. Congrigates outdoors & on street corners
g. Makes us look lazy

This is the condensed version of why I would not return to the "O.C."
I have not returned since moving to So. OR in 1999. Did not even go to my favorite relative's funeral. Need I say more?

[snb3]

Hey Freedom,
We grew about 5 minutes away from each other & I can tell you every change Fullerton has gone through as been for the worse. Its still a good place to live but relative to 20 yrs ago, it is no better and 3x more expensive.
Thats OC in a nutshell, it is an excellent place but for those who've been here before, its not getting any better but its getting way too expensive.

I'll be visiting So.OR in Jan, visiting cities along the 5. I've lived oversees where the winters are harsh so I do not expect that to be an issue. I just want to find a clean, safe, well kept suburbs with responsible citizens where we can start a family.

[freedom]

snb3,

Good ole Fullerton, Named after those who wash clothes.
I hope you find what you are looking for. So. Oregon has much to offer. We are enjoying the family life here. If there is anything you need as far as info, pm me. I'll do what I can.

Freedom

[Des_Demona]

I was in Fullerton (and general Orange County) the other day and it was a horrible experience. I used to live there and then I moved north (not quite to Oregon yet but soon!) and I couldn't believe how horrible it was. I wouldn't even DREAM about even going back to Orange County just to visit relatives. It's so sad how a place can get ruined in such a small space of time. Hope that doesn't happen to Oregon.

[Des_Demona]

Say what you want darkshogun but I'm moving to Oregon. I've ALWAYS wanted to live in Oregon and it's not my fault or choice that I was born in Southern California. I've always hated it here, the people, the overcrowding, pollution etc. I wasn't meant to live here and I want to be happy. I'm not one of the many moving just because it's cheaper and less crowded in Oregon. Those people don't acclimate to the Oregonian culture and are the ones who are the main problem. I'm moving because I love Oregon and have always wanted to live there. Don't overgeneralise and hate on people just because they are from CA. Once we are there, we are there, so why not just be nice and not cause additional problems.

[bobmulk]

OK, everyone, Darkshogun is an uneducated imbecile. Most people are too intelligent to blame Oregon's problems on Californians. So what if you move up here with a lot of equity? Good for you! The people who move to Oregon are the types that we want because you're not into the trendy L.A. beautiful people, cool-dude beach mentality. Most people that move here from California that I've known are aware of why they're here. They don't care that it rains. Don't care that there isn't a Trader Joe's on every corner because shopping is not their pasttime. Most Californians who move here are thoughtful, intelligent people who want a better life and they're not obsessed over something as irrelevant as weather. They will become Oregonians because they want something more out of life than being trendy, tanned and thin.

WELCOME TO OREGON, DES DEMONA!!